Blistering in alloy Ti-6Al-4V from H+ ion implantation

The effect of H+ ion implantation on surface morphology of the titanium alloy, Ti-6Al-4V, was studied, following H+ ion implantation of 150 keV and 250 keV energy to fluence of 2·6 × 1018 cm−2 and 2·5 × 1019 cm−2, respectively at ambient temperature. No detectable change was observed in surface features of either of the above specimen immediately after the implantation. However, vein like features (VLF) were observed to appear on the surface of the sample, implanted at 150 keV to a fluence of 2·6 × 1018 cm−2, following natural ageing at room temperature for 150 days. Subsequent annealing of the above naturally aged sample, at 423 K for 150 min under vacuum (10−3 torr), led to development of a macroblister.